Reassuring News About Milk

The U.S. milk supply is virtually free of drug residues, an FDA report has concluded. Of more than 1,900 milk samples tested for 31 veterinary drugs, including antibiotics, fewer than 1 percent contained residues. And dairy farms that previously tested positive for residues were no more likely to fail testing than those without violations. Antibiotics are often used in dairy farming to both prevent and treat illness.

Though treated cows are not supposed to be milked until the drugs are out of their system, many people worry that residues still end up in milk. Putting such concerns to rest, the FDA said that its findings "provide evidence that the nation's milk safety system is effective in helping to prevent drug residues of concern in milk."